Cytomel Thyroid T3/T4 for Weight Loss

Camira Bailey

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Medications like Thyroid, Cytomel, T3 and T4 are used to manage thyroid conditions, particularly an under-functioning thyroid. While they do cause weight loss, these drugs should not be used to help you lose weight if you have normal thyroid function. This is because your risk of developing adverse effects is greater than any weight loss benefits you may receive. Furthermore, there are a variety of prescription weight loss drugs available for your doctor to prescribe that are far more effective.

Cytomel

Cytomel, a brand name for liothyronine, is used to treat hypothyroidism, and sometimes to diagnose hyperthyroidism. Each pill contains either 5, 10 or 25 mcg or liothyronine. The typical starting dose is usually 25 mcg, with a gradual increase until you are taking 75 mcg to 125 mcg daily. Cytomel does not have any reported side effects aside from hyperthyoidism symptoms, which only occur if you are taking too much of it. It does, however, interact with a variety of drugs, including medications used for diabetes, blood-thinners and birth control pills. Rarely, it can cause allergic skin reactions. Because of this, you should not take Cytomel unless it is prescribed by your doctor.

Thyroid

Thyroid is a T3/T4 combination medication used to treat most kinds of hypothyroidism. It can also be used in the management of goiters and thyroid cancer. Each thyroid pill contains 38 mcg of levothyroxine and 9 mcg of liothyronine. This drug must always be taken under close supervision of a doctor, as your thyroid levels must be monitored regularly to ensure you are getting the amount you need. Side effects from using thyroid are rare when it is used correctly, though some people, especially children, may experience temporary hair loss.

Thyroid Medication and Weight Loss

Thyroid medication causes weight loss by speeding up your body’s metabolism. It will make your body burn more calories each day, even while you sleep. If you have an underactive thyroid, taking this kind of medication will result in rather rapid weight loss, especially if you are already dieting and exercising. If your thyroid is functioning normally, you will not lose weight taking normal doses of thyroid medication. The only way to lose weight would be to overdose on it. Such an overdose can cause severe and even life-threatening problems. Furthermore, thyroid medication causes you to lose muscle, especially if your thyroid is normal, according to a study published in the March 1997 issue of “the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.” While the combination of fat loss and muscle loss will make it seem like you're losing a large amount of weight at the beginning, your weight loss will slow and eventually stop. Muscle tissue burns a significant amount of calories, so its loss will slow down your metabolism, making it harder to maintain your weight loss or lose weight in the future. Furthermore, most people, especially athletes, find excessive muscle loss unappealing.

Adverse Effects

If you attempt to take thyroid medication for weight loss despite a normally functioning thyroid, you’ll end up with drug-induced hyperthyroidism. Weight loss is only one of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. You may experience a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including muscle weakness, heart palpitations, diarrhea, insomnia, and heat intolerance, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. In rare cases, you may develop a condition called thyroid storm. Thyroid storm is characterized by fever, high blood pressure, tachycardia, nausea and vomiting. Congestive heart failure and seizures leading to death can occur.